Traditional breed takes centre stage (From Western Telegraph)

Traditional breed takes centre stage

Seimon and Eleanor Thomas' herd of dairy shorthorns was recently named the overall winner in the annual competition arranged by the South Wales and mid-Western Regional Association of Shorthorn Breeders.

Pedigree Shorthorns have figured prominently with the Thomas family at Drysgolgoch, Llwyndrain in north Pembrokeshire for almost 60 years, and in that time they have gained some of the most coveted awards in show rings across England and Wales.

Black and white milkers are said to make up almost 95% of the dairy cattle in the UK, but many of the large holstein herds already have a sprinkling of other breeds among them and some are being cross-bred to poduce hardy stock capable of converting costly fodder more efficiently.

As one of the truly traditional breeds, the dairy shorthorn still holds its own in this respect, and generations of enthusiastic breeders continue to sing its praises.

Seimon and Eleanor Thomas are the third generation to run the farm and recently up-graded the winter housing, feeding areas and milking parlour and installing hard tracks to the grazing area.

At the same time they have become fully organic and are seeking a specialist buyer for their milk.

With progeny from their home bred bull, Drisgol Superblend, they also won the young stock section of the competition.

Supreme individual animal was third-calver Glanhirwen Pansy 12 VG88, owned and bred by Morris and Katey James, at Ponthirwaun, near Cardigan, which gave over 8,000kgs as a second calver. The Jameses won five of the ten classes judged.